Labour sent Brexit warning over fears of EU fishing ban U-turn

John Flesher, deputy director of the Conservative Environment Network, said: “The last Conservative government left a strong legacy on protecting nature across the world, as well as around Britain’s coastlines. A ban on sandeel fishing is crucial for allowing populations to recover, providing food for UK’s seabirds like puffins and kittiwakes. It is as conservative as it is British to protect the beautiful and unique nature for which our nation is responsible.

"The EU’s continued efforts to roll back these protections put our wildlife at risk and threaten to undermine the UK’s nature recovery goals. The government should stand firm, and prove to our European allies that you can have both a thriving marine environment and a strong fishing industry.”

A UK government spokeswoman said:“We remain committed to protecting our seabirds and the wider marine environment, including fulfilling our international commitments which are distinct to our immediate focus of improving cooperation with the EU on security and tackling barriers to trade.”

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